Gone, Together (Cedric x Reader)

Chapter 33 ~ The Terrible Nightmare

Cedric and I were chilling in the courtyard, just ten minutes before class was about to start. Cedric's uniform looked like it had seen better days, and he was pouring his heart out to me about his insomnia issues. Poor guy couldn't catch a wink of sleep because of the final task of the Triwizard tournament. Honestly, I had spaced out on that whole thing, too busy with my wild adventures of becoming an animagus and exploring the world alongside Cedric.

Suddenly, a wave of guilt washed over me, causing my shoulders to sag under the weight of my negligence. I berated myself for becoming so engrossed in other matters that I had overlooked something so important for both of us. Determined to be there for him, I offered my consolation and reassured him that if he couldn't sleep, we could stay up together. 

"It's going to be alright, I promise," I whispered gently, gripping Cedric's hand in mine for reassurance. "We've both got this. Even if we don't win, we'll still be alive and well." As I spoke, I couldn't help but inject a playful tone into my words. "Although, I do hope you won't try to snatch the prize away from me at the very last moment. I could use a bit of friendly competition, but let's not make it too intense, shall we?"

Cedric's tired eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as he squeezed my hand in response. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, momentarily easing the weight that burdened him. "Oh, you know me," he replied, his voice laced with a playful tone. "I'll do my best to give you a run for your money, but I promise not to steal the victory from your grasp. Besides, I wouldn't want to risk damaging this over the competition."

I chuckled softly, but my heart skipped a beat as I noticed Cho Chang approaching us.  I straightened up, instinctively aware of the history between Cedric and Cho. It had been over a month since they had broken up, and the lingering tension still hung in the air. I attempted to greet Cho with a friendly smile, hoping to ease any discomfort, but her expression remained distant and unresponsive ."Cho," Cedric greeted her, his smile faltering slightly.  The atmosphere grew palpably awkward, and I braced myself for the conversation that was about to unfold.

She twirled her wand absentmindedly, a touch of bitterness tainting her voice. "So, are you two together then?" she asked, her tone betraying a mix of curiosity and lingering emotions. "I'd heard some rumours, but I wasn't sure..."

"Yeah," Cedric's voice lowered, a hint of apprehension seeping into his tone. "We are together," he confessed. However, before he could fully explain, Cho's expression shifted into one of immediate upset, and I felt a surge of protective instinct rise within me. I stood up, and Cedric followed suit, both of us prepared to address her concerns.

"You broke up with me to get with her. That's - did you never like me? Did I mean nothing to you?" Cho's voice trembled with a mix of hurt and anger.

I took a step forward, looking Cho straight in the eye. "Cho, I have a name," I interjected firmly, 

Cedric attempted to find the right words "Cho, I never said that," he clarified,  " We were together for barely a month. It wasn't about you not meaning anything to me. I genuinely cared about you, but I think we both sensed that something was missing, that our connection wasn't as strong as it could be." He shook his head, "It was more about finding someone who truly understands me. And I've found that with Y/n." Cedric glanced over at me, his eyes reflecting a mixture of appreciation and affection. "It wasn't a decision I made lightly, and I never intended to hurt you in the process. You deserve someone who can give you the love and happiness you deserve."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Cedric and the way he handled the delicate situation with Cho. As Cho nodded in understanding, it seemed that a small sliver of acceptance began to surface within her.